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Evol Health
GOUT TREATMENT
What is Gout?
Gout is a common and painful form of inflammatory arthritis. It happens when there is a build up of too much uric acid in your body. Your body makes uric acid while breaking down purines, which are found in your body and some of the foods you eat. When there is too much uric acid in your body, it can build up in your joints and other tissues. Currently, researchers are still investigating the factors that cause the build-up of uric acid but believe it may be due to several factors related to overall health, age, genetics, and diet.
During a flare, people with gout experience pain in one or more of their joints, typically in their big toe, but occasionally in other joints or the hands. The pain may come on suddenly and wake them from their sleep. Most gout flares start at night. During times of remission, pain and other symptoms decrease and go away. Having repeated flares can lead to gouty arthritis, a more severe form of arthritis.
How Is Gout Treated?
There is no cure for gout; however, by using medications and making lifestyle changes, you can effectively treat it. Treating gout includes managing several factors including:
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Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and swelling during a flare
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Preventing future flares through changes to diet and lifestyle
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Taking medications to help decrease the amount of uric acid in your body
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Preventing tophi and kidney stones with preventative therapy
During a flare, there are several things you can do at home to help alleviate pain and swelling.
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Apply ice packs to the inflamed area
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Elevate the painful area if possible to reduce swelling
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Allow the affected joint to rest
What Medications Treat Gout?
Healthcare providers use several medications to treat gout.
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NSAIDs: For pain during a flare-up, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling.
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Steroids: To ease pain and inflammation, your medical provider may order an oral or injection steroid..
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Colchicine: This anti-inflammatory medication works best when taken at the first sign of a flare-up.
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Xanthine oxidase inhibitors: These medications, including allopurinol and febuxostat, help prevent your body from producing urate.
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Uricosuric agents: These medications, including probenecid and lesinurad, help the kidneys flush more urate out of your blood.
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Uricase: This medication breaks urate down into a form that is much easier for your body to remove.
How Can I Prevent Gout?
Making dietary and lifestyle changes can help you manage or prevent gout. These include:
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Avoiding alcohol
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Avoiding beverages containing high fructose corn syrup
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Avoiding red meat, especially beef and organ meats
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Avoiding seafood such as shrimp, lobster, sardines, tuna, mussels, and anchovies
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Talking to your medical provider about changing your diuretic medication if you take one
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Getting regular exercise; experts recommend accumulating at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise
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Take your gout medication as prescribed
Can I Treat Gout Online?
Gout is a commonly treated condition. If you think you are experiencing gout and need some relief and help managing the condition, make an appointment with one of our experienced medical providers. Keep in mind that gout treatments are more effective when started early.
At EVOL Health, we have medical providers available 24/7. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and whether you have any other medical conditions. They may also ask what medications you currently take and if you’ve ever had allergic reactions to medications.
After assessing you, if your telehealth medical provider believes you are experiencing gout, they can order any medications you need and send the prescriptions to your local pharmacy for pick-up. If they feel it necessary, the medical provider will let you know if you need an in-person diagnosis. Finally, the medical provider will go over gout management and lifestyle changes you can make to avoid flares.
What Are The Symptoms Of Gout?
A gout flare can start suddenly and may last a few days or weeks. The most intense pain typically occurs 24 hours after the initial sign of a flare. During a flare you may experience the following symptoms in your toes, ankles, or knees.
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Intense pain
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Swelling
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Redness
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Warm, inflamed skin
After a flare is over, there is a time of remission during which all symptoms disappear.